The Dehesas: a study of a Mediterranean silvopastoral system. Implications for temperate silvopastoral systems in Northern Ireland.

Abstract

There has been a resurgence of interest in silvopastoral systems (widely spaced trees growing on grazed pasture) in the United Kingdom and Ireland in recent years. Potential benefits of these combined land-use systems over simple pasture or woodland can include an increase in diversity of flora and fauna, increased financial returns and more efficient nutrient cycling amongst others. The tradition of these systems in other parts of Europe has been particularly strong and much can be gained from studying the ecological interactions within these established systems. The Dehesas of Spain and Portugal are perhaps the best-known example of an established silvopastoral system in Europe. Both market and non-market advantages of temperate agroforestry are discussed based on results from a continuing National Network Experiment (NNE) in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and findings from the dehesa system of western Spain.